I. Project Overview
The contractor for the underground utility tunnel project in Phoenix has installed our waterproof LED linear fixtures, delivering compliant lighting for both the construction phase and ongoing maintenance — a perfect solution to the project’s needs.
Frequent and increasingly severe extreme weather events have repeatedly caused damage to transmission lines, triggering widespread power outages and accidents. In the United States, wildfires sparked by overhead power lines have resulted in significant loss of life, property damage, and the destruction of hundreds of thousands of acres of land.
To prevent wildfires and mitigate damage from extreme events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and major ice storms, an increasing number of power companies are relocating transmission facilities underground to enhance disaster resilience.
Project requirements:
- Provide adequate lighting for the duration of the construction works.
- Supply essential illumination for the maintenance of underground utility corridors and tunnels.
- Comply with the City of Phoenix electrical safety codes and all relevant regulations.
- Prioritize energy efficiency.
About the project
Project name
Phoenix Underground Utility Tunnel Renovation Project
Application Scenario
Underground Utility Tunnel Lighting
Location
Phoenix
Completion Date
November 2021
Project Challenges
Harsh Environment Adaptability—From construction to project operation, underground utility tunnels are not only dusty and prone to impacts but also face adverse conditions such as dripping water and high humidity. Therefore, lighting equipment must possess mechanical strength and be specifically designed to ensure reliable operation in these demanding environments.
2. Certification and Compliance — As a municipal public works project, stakeholders ranging from city authorities to gas and power utilities and contractors require lighting equipment to fully comply with local electrical safety regulations and hold necessary certifications to guarantee lighting performance and safety.
3. Energy Efficiency — After underground utility tunnels are completed and operational, dedicated personnel will conduct routine maintenance and safety inspections. Lighting fixtures must therefore support continuous 24/7 operation while featuring automatic switching to low-luminance mode or shutdown when maintenance personnel are absent. This ensures energy savings without wasting electricity.
II. Solution and Implementation
Solution Summary
COMLED provides plug-and-play, high-protection-rated (waterproof) LED linear lighting solutions for continuous construction and long-term maintenance of underground utility tunnels. The design focuses on three key objectives: ensuring reliable operation in harsh, high-humidity environments; meeting Phoenix electrical safety codes and project compliance requirements; and achieving energy savings through sensor control and efficient light fixtures. Core features include: waterproof and Vapor Tight Light light fixtures (P Series), factory pre-configuration (sensors/emergency settings), quick-wire connectable wiring, and a proven emergency backup system.
Products Used:
Waterproof Vapor-Tight Batten Fixture(P-Series) — 2FT (18W), 4FT (36W), 5FT (44W)
- Application: tunnel runs, service corridors, access points and maintenance zones.
- Protection & materials: IP65 / IK08; high-transmittance milky PC diffuser (~86%).
- Installation & wiring: large terminal block (5.0 mm hole) for quick wiring; clip-fixed driver for tool-free replacement; surface-mounted / suspended / linkable.
- Control & emergency: sensor dimming (5.8G HF — 100% → 20% → OFF), linkable control and emergency version (>3 hours @ 3.6W with 3000mAh LiFePO4 battery).
- Compliance & support: CE, RoHS, SAA, C-Tick (RCM) noted in COMLED spec; 5-year product warranty (battery 1 year).
- Project benefit: modular, serviceable luminaires that reduce site intervention and support 24/7 operation with low-power standby modes.
Key Implementation Steps:
- Site survey & compliance check — verified tunnel geometry, feed points, mounting heights and City of Phoenix code requirements; defined control zones for maintenance and traffic areas.
- Pilot deployment — installed sample P-Series runs to test illuminance, sensor response and emergency switching on site.
- Factory pre-configuration & bulk delivery — fixtures shipped pre-set with selected sensor/emergency options and large terminal blocks for plug-and-play.
- Rapid installation & linking — linkable connectors and large terminals for fast wiring; surface/suspended mounting per layout.
- Commissioning & acceptance — measured average lux, uniformity and emergency runtime; delivered acceptance documentation and O&M handover.
III. Project Outcomes and Feedback
Project Results
COMLED supplied IP65/IK08 P-Series waterproof vapor-tight batten fixtures with sensor dimming and emergency backup for the Phoenix Underground Utility Tunnel Renovation. Plug-and-play, linkable solution solved harsh-environment reliability and compliance, 56% energy reduction, >3 hour emergency runtime and reduced maintenance interventions — all project objectives achieved for resilience, safety and efficiency.
Client Testimonial
“The COMLED P-Series delivers outstanding performance in demanding tunnel environments. Its pre-configured design allows for efficient, rapid installation, ensuring low energy consumption while eliminating the need for complex maintenance. We met our compliance requirements and improved maintenance crew safety — win-win.“
——Olivia Gray, Senior Utilities Project Manager, City of Phoenix
